Zimbabwe swimmer gets cash prize
BBC News.
Friday, 29 August 2008
Zimbabwe's top Olympic swimmer has been given a $100,000 dollar
reward by the country's president, Robert Mugabe.
Kirsty Coventry won all of Zimbabwe's four medals at the Beijing
games, taking them to 38th in the medal table.
She was given the money, worth £54,890, in a suitcase by the
governor of the central bank.
In a ceremony carried live on state television, Mr Mugabe called
the swimmer "a daughter of Zimbabwe" and a "golden girl".
She smashed the world record to win gold in the women's 200
metres backstroke.
'Rare praise'
BBC correspondent Jonah Fisher, based in neighbouring South
Africa, says Ms Coventry is lucky her reward is in American
dollars, because a suitcase of Zimbabwean currency would
scarcely have bought her a loaf of bread.
Inflation is currently running at 11,000,000% and there are
widespread shortages of food and fuel.
As he presented Ms Coventry the cash, Mr Mugabe said: "You have
done well, daughter of Zimbabwe.
"We wish you well in life. We should praise her. She is our
golden girl. Take care of her."
It was rare praise for a white Zimbabwean, our correspondent
notes: Mr Mugabe has spent much of the last 10 years
repossessing white owned farms and railing against Britain and
the West.
During the ceremony, Mr Mugabe also handed out $10,000 (£5,520)
to Zimbabwe's other Olympic finalists, while others who were
part of the national team were given $2,000 (£1,103).
The 24-year old swimmer, who also won three silver medals in
Beijing, is expected to return to her home in the United States
this weekend, after a flying visit to the country of her birth.
Mr Mugabe also gave Ms Coventry $50,000 (£27,450) and a
diplomatic pass****t after the Athens games in 2004, where she
won three medals comprising of a gold, silver and bronze.
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